Mission and Outreach at First Christian Church

At First Christian, the ministry of the church does not end at the doors of the building. It goes beyond, into the world. Each member of the church is encouraged to participate in mission and outreach opportunities in the community, and beyond.

The church supports Disciples Mission Fund, the outreach arm of the denomination. Our gifts to DMF help provide missionaries to far away countries. These dollars also provide funds for the colleges and universities the Disciples support and bring leadership to our region and national church. Special offerings during the year include Reconciliation, Easter, Christmas, Thanksgiving, Pentecost and Week of Compassion. The church continues to work towards the goal of making a tithe of its income to outreach needs.

Local Missions:

The church was a founding member of United Ministries Outreach for Fulton County. This group provides emergency funds for those who have a need with utility bills, rent or medical needs. A cooperative ministry with several local churches involved, the church not only provides funds, but also several members volunteer their time working at the UMO office. UMO assists between 30 and 45 families a month and distributes about $5,000 each month to those in need. Each Christmas an emphasis of collecting food, toys and funds for Christmas baskets is headed up by this group as well. And every week, the food pantry is open to those in need of food.

The women's group, CWF, have several projects during the year to reach out to the community. They collect cookies for the Manitou Training Center and blood drives. They also collect school supplies and baby items for children in Fulton County. There are always opportunities for members and friends of FCC to help out.

Other local outreach opportunities include the Relay For Life sponsored by the Cancer Society, helping out neighbors and members of the church with small home repairs or leaf raking, providing transportation to those who have a special need and a visitation program by the Elders of the church, as well as many others, to our homebound members.

Missions beyond Rochester:

The Division of Oversees Ministry and the Division of Homeland Ministries of the Christian Church (Discipes of Christ) are the outreach arm of the denomination. Our gifts to these divisions support the work of the church in places like Nepal. Please check out the website of these outreach groups:

http://www.globalministries.org and http://www.discipleshomemissions.org/.

SCAPEL AT THE CROSS

Scalpel At The Cross is a ministry of medical and surgical care to the Peruvian people and to the missionaries who serve them. This ministry is the realization of a long-standing dream of a Christian orthopaedic surgeon and his family. It has developed through many God-purposed experiences and friendships in the lives of those whose hearts are burdened to reach out to these people.

Mission : To be a lighthouse for Christ through a medical ministry in the Peruvian Amazon region of South America.

FCC Rochester has supported this ministry through financial donations, mission and medical supplies, and prayer support for teams as they embark on short-term mission trips to Peru. Our contact person is Lisa Schroder. The next mission trip is scheduled from February 25, 2011 until March 6, 2011. We will be assisting in the collection of the following:

· Helpful Medical Items: Large gauge rolls, Various ACE Bandages, Antibiotic ointment (ie. Neosporin), Vitamins (adult, children, infant drops), Calcium tablets, gently used slings or orthopedic braces and boot-walkers, etc. Crutches, wheelchairs, walkers.

· Personal Items: Toothbrushes and paste, combs, hair bands, flip-flops, small adult, children and infant clothing (summer wear only please)

· Other Helpful gifts for the Jungle: Fishing line and hooks, small candles, pocket knives

· Evangelical Items: Spanish Bibles, Small Crosses or other small items with Christian messages in Spanish.

Special Thank You Note from Lisa:

Dearest Church Family,

I want to thank you deeply for the support which you gave on such short notice for the September 2010 Scalpel At The Cross mission trip. Justin received financial donations from many in the church to support his trip. As well, we received donations of vitamins, children’s clothing and other items, which were extremely beneficial for us to take along for gifts and encouragement to our orthopedic surgery patients. Finally, we know that we received much through your prayer petitions for safe travels and ability to complete the work for the Lord in an unencumbered fashion.

I hope that each of you realize the lives that you are impacting for Christ with each gift given. Of course, I can’t name them all, but I’d like to share a few just to emphasize the point. Firstly, your support encourages me and my family daily in this work. By sharing your encouragement and support, we are learning and growing in our faith and trusting in the Lord for His provision and protection, both here at home and also when afar. We (yes, this includes Kyle, Justin and Jacob) are becoming bolder in our confession of faith to others who know us and, also, to those we first meet. Next, you are impacting the lives of the people of Peru. Those who may know Christ are encouraged and are experiencing His love in a real way as physical needs are met through surgery, through practical gifts, or through a simple prayer time with another believer. Those who don’t yet know Christ might become curious, “why would a complete stranger care for me?”. Through this question a heart may become softened to seek more. The possibilities are limitless for the Lord to work! Finally, you also impact the fulltime missionaries and our fellow mission travelers, all at different stages of their life walk with the Lord. Through your support, each might receive encouragement, love and care, just as the Lord intends through these trips.

We are your hands and feet in this work. Each of you, alongside us, as an important member to the body of Christ. We love you and thank you for your partnership with us in serving others for Christ’s sake.

In Christian Love,

Lisa Schroder for Scalpel At The Cross

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